Save our Fields campaigners set up stalls at the evidence gathering event on Sunday at Gosford Park Primary School

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PROTESTERS fighting plans to transfer part of Coventry's Charterhouse Fields to a neighbouring school have enlisted the support of a lawyer.

The bitter dispute over public access to the treasured green space off London Road saw residents sign legal documents in the presence of the solicitor on Sunday, pledging that they are regular users of the fields.

The move by the Save Our Fields campaign is intended to counter claims by Blue Coat School that it is the “sole or main user” of the fields for school sports.

The school in Terry Road, Stoke, is hoping to take control of 60 per cent of Charterhouse Fields from Coventry City Council on a 125-year lease as part of its bid for academy status.

The lawyer – a local resident donating his time for free – supervised residents signing a statutory declaration at The Big Lunch fun day at Gosford Park Primary School, where campaigners had set up a stall.

Helen Edgar, aged 36, of Severn Road, Stoke, was one of the protesters who organised the stall.

The mother-of-two said: “This is specifically to show the council that the community is the main user of these fields.

“We’re building up evidence so this land transfer doesn’t go through. I use the fields three or four times-a-week.

“We play ball games and meet up with friends for picnics. People will avoid the top of table top field if the pupils are using it.

“They will keep their dogs on a lead if they’re out. These are things people have been doing ever since the school was built.”

Coventry City Council U-turned on a decision to hand over the land after protests from more than 1,000 residents who use the fields.

The Labour-controlled council had claimed the government blocked a covenant being placed on the lease, guaranteeing public access. But the Telegraph reported last week that the Department for Education had denied ever standing in the way of a public access covenant.

Residents are concerned public access will be restricted to evenings and weekends.

Negotiations over the potential 125-year lease are ongoing.

Mrs Edgar added: “Negotiations are always between the school and the council – where are the residents in all this?”

Another evidence-gathering day is being held at Charterhouse Fields from 1pm to 3pm on Sunday, where signings of the statutory declaration will continue.